Dimethicone, also called dimethicone or hypurethane, belongs to a category of organic polymer called silicones which are widely known as silicone oils. Dimethicone is a versatile silicone rubber with high resistance to grease and water. It’s also been used as an antifungal and anti-adhesive for cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals. Its natural oil base makes it a good choice for cosmetic application as well, particularly in skin care, hair care and personal care. Dimethicone’s chemical makeup is similar to petroleum jelly but much less dense.
Dimethicone is one of a handful of organic silicones that have proven benefits to the cosmetics industry. Many other silicones have not been clinically tested yet. It is relatively easy to obtain, widely available in many health and beauty products including shampoos, lotions, moisturizers, soaps, lipsticks, facial masks, soaps, gels, and so on. This makes it one of the easiest ingredients to incorporate into skin care products. That said, there are still some important things you need to know about this interesting organic lubricant.
Dimethicone and Silicone are two different organic silicones with unique traits and properties. Dimethicone is a greaseless emulsion that can be effectively used as an emulsifier (a substance that helps to bind water and other ingredients together) and a silicone emollient (which provides a soft, pliable feeling on the surface of your skin). Other silicones are more lipid soluble and therefore have higher melting points than Dimethicone. This makes them excellent ingredients for use in cosmetics, particularly when mixed with paraffin wax, mineral oil, and glycerin to create lipsticks, creams, and so forth. These types of beauty products are also widely used in moisturizers, anti-aging creams, and hand cream because of their ability to form a film on the skin that protects and moisturizes. However, what most people don’t realize is that silicon can also have antibacterial properties and the combination of both of these makes for a powerful and effective antimicrobial agent.
Dimethicone has a number of benefits to its users. For example, it leaves skin feeling smoother and softer, is non-irritating, hypoallergenic, and helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles from developing in the first place. In addition, it reduces water loss in the epidermis by preventing fluid escape. This means that there is less dryness and flakiness and the skin looks and feels firmer and more tone.
Dimethicone can be found in a variety of different skincare products including soaps, lotions, gels, and moisturizers. However, it’s most popular as an ingredient in body and hand cream. While silicones are found naturally in many of the products we use every day, it can be more difficult to find products that contain these types of ingredients without creating an allergic reaction. That’s why Dimethicone is such a popular choice for manufacturers.
To find out more about the popularity of dimethicone as an ingredient, I conducted a product review. The ingredients I looked at were plant based oils (such as grape seed, jojoba, and macadamia), essential fatty acids (fish oil, linoleic acid, and Shea butter), alphahydroxy acids (such as triclosan, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide) and sulfur compounds (iodides, silicones, and alkaloids). The results showed that over 98% of the products containing this ingredient had at least some of the characteristics listed above. Furthermore, when my colleagues and I conducted a side-by-side comparison of the top skin care brands as well as personal care products from the same manufacturer, we found that Dimethicone performed as well or better than many of the other ingredients we tested.
As a side note, I also used Dimethicone as a facial moisturizer for two weeks straight. It worked fabulously! I would definitely recommend using silicone-based ingredients as a moisturizer. However, it is important to know that these types of products should not be used by those with a sensitive skin. Dimethicone can cause some skin irritation in those without a good sensitivity to silicones or other ingredients.
Dimethicone and its similar ingredients are an excellent addition to your anti aging skin care regimen. Dimethicone helps you achieve younger looking skin while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Silicones help keep your skin from becoming dry and tight; they also add a soft, velvety feel to your skin. Be sure to check out the health facts on all of these ingredients before you purchase any cosmetic product.